Dar, Berlin sign Sh120bn grant for electricity and water projects

Technicians transport electricity power poles. Germany will make available a grant funding of Sh43.96 billion for a new transmission line from Geita to Nyakanazi in north-west Tanzania. Photo | FILE 

By Mkinga Mkinga,The Citizen Reporter

In Summary

• Under the terms of the agreement, Germany will make available a grant funding of Sh43.96 billion for a new transmission line from Geita to Nyakanazi

Dar es Salaam. Germany and Tanzania yesterday signed a Sh121.89 billion grant agreements for the provision of water and energy infrastructure as well as supporting the Serengeti National Park.

These were signed in Dar es Salaam yesterday between KfW Development Bank on behalf of German Development Cooperation and the ministry of Finance.

Under the terms of the agreements, Germany will make available a grant funding of Sh43.96 billion for a new transmission line from Geita to Nyakanazi in north-west Tanzania in order to provide access to electricity for 32,500 rural households.

A statement issued by the German embassy said the power line will connect the regional 80 MW hydropower project at Rusumo Falls to the national grid.

“Once implemented, the project will enable exchange of power with the neighbouring countries of Rwanda and Burundi, thus enhance regional integration and stability of power supply,” said the statement. The statement added that Berlin will provide Sh32.97 billion for increased access to potable water and sanitation services in Tanzania, thus continuing its long and fruitful collaboration with Dar es Salaam in the water sector.

By pooling the grant in the “water basket” funding mechanism of the Tanzanian government, Germany joins forces with other development partners to support the Water Sector Development Programme (WSDP), said the statement.

Giving details on the water sector boost from Germany, permanent secretary to the treasury, Dr Servacius Likwelile, said about Sh32.97 billion will implement water resources management, rural water supply and sanitation services, urban water supply and sewerage services and sector institutional strengthening and capacity building.

“This will reduce the time wasted in seeking water for domestic use and will give them time to concentrate on their development activities. It will also reduce the risk of having borne diseases for good health of our people in order to participate fully in development activities,” Dr Likwelile said.

 Since the beginning of the WSDP in 2007 almost 7 million people gained access to clean and safe water.

The statement said the German Financial Cooperation also supported the Tanzania National Parks Authority (Tanapa) with a contribution of Sh45.059 billion for the wider Serengeti Ecosystem as part of the Tanzanian-German Development Programme called Sustainable Management and Conservation of Biodiversity.